Romans 5:1-5 (New Revised Standard)
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Reflection
It's more than just a feeling. This relationship we have with God the Father, Son and Spirit, is more than just a feeling or emotion, it's a fact. This relationship that is true, isn't based on something we have earned. We didn't earn the right to a medal of honor in order to go into God's presence. Think of some of the Old Testament accounts of people going before the king. It was a rare occasion and sometime could even be dangerous to subject yourself to the whims of the king by going in front of him. Recall the times that the one going before the king was either to be judged or had done something that the king desired to honor with a gift or a decree. Usually they earned their presence before the king with either good or bad actions.
Our relationship with God however, is not based on our actions. We can't earn the trip before God by any action we may take. We come before God in the presence and through the actions of what Jesus has done for us in our stead. It is by Jesus actions alone that we are made right before God and can be in God's presence. God came to us in Jesus. So now Jesus has made us righteous and able to stand before the Father.
What a joy this brings to us. A joy so tremendous that pain and suffering are twisted into character building blessings. God abundantly pours his Holy Spirit into our lives and blesses us even in the tough times. God pours to overflowing his love into our lives through the Holy Spirit as we live our lives in testament to all that God has done.
It's more than just a feeling. It's a fact! God loves us, claims us and we believe and faith grows.
Prayer
Lord, pour out your love into my heart and the hearts of all believers that we may stand in the pain and with those who suffer to let your love flow freely through us... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen
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